Computer Engineering

The goal of this course is presenting the different alternatives offered by the current state of technology regarding the setup of data centres or, more generally, any medium-large sized computer facility. The different configurations of servers (racks, blades …), storage systems, buses and networks will be studied. Also, a number of mechanisms will be analyzed for measuring performance and maximize resource utilization. Finally, different standards for installation and maintenance of computer facilities will be studied.

MODULE I: DATA CENTERS (DCs)
- TOPIC 1. Server Formats: Racks and Blades
- TOPIC 2. Data Centers and Availability in DCs
- TOPIC 3. Server Virtualization

MODULE II: STORAGE NETWORKS
- TOPIC 4. Storage Devices
- TOPIC 5. Disk Subsystems
- TOPIC 6. Fibre Channel and Storage Area Networks (SAN)
- TOPIC 7. IP-Based Storage Networks
- TOPIC 8. File Systems and Network Storage

MODULE III: STORAGE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
- TOPIC 9. Storage Virtualization
- TOPIC 10. Backup Copies
- TOPIC 11. Backup Software and Network Backup
- TOPIC 12. Information Archiving
- TOPIC 13. Backup Hardware

Practices:
-- Visit the Data Center at Altia headquarters, Vigo.

Basic:

- Kailash Jayaswal. “Administering Data Centers: Servers, Storage, and Voice over IP”. Wiley. ISBN 978-0471771838. 2005.

- Ulf Troppens & Rainer Erkens & Wolfgang Müller. „Storage Networks Explained: Basics and Application of Fibre Channel SAN, NAS iSCSI and InfiniBand”. Wiley. ISBN 978-0470861820. 2004.

Complementary:

- Barb Goldworm & Anne Skamarock. “Blade Servers and Virtualization: Transforming Enterprise Computing While Cutting Costs”. Wiley. ISBN 978-0471783954. 2007.

- W. Curtis Preston. “Backup & Recovery: Inexpensive Backup Solutions for Open Systems”. O'Reilly. ISBN 978-0596102463. 2007.

- René J. Chevance. “Server Architectures: Multiprocessors, Clusters, Parallel Systems, Web Servers, Storage Solutions”. Digital Press. ISBN 978-1555583330. 2004.

In this course, students should develop both global and specific skills directly related with the names:
CG1, CG2, CG4, CG6, CG7, CG9, CG10 and CG11;
TR1 and TR3;
FB5;
RI1, RI2, RI4, RI5, RI9 and RI11;
TI2, TI4 and TI5;
in the report of the USC entitled "Memoria del Grado en Ingeniería Informática". Students should also develop skills from the "Ingeniería de Computadores" module:
- To understand the different technological alternatives of a high performance computing facility (servers configuration, storage area networks, I/O buses and networks, and also how to measure the performance of the installed facility).

With this goal the student will learn about the technologies involved in the design and maintenance of medium/large sized computer facilities. The student should be able to study the requirements in order to decide the size of the facilities and evaluate the performance. The student will be able to assess the impact of each piece of technology, and take decisions about the organization of a data centre.

The student work material for this subject includes a list of recommended books that are available in the library; also a copy of the slides used by the lecturer and information gathered from different sources about the evolution and availability of different technologies. On-line support will be widely used (https://cv.usc.es).

Lab lessons will be held in the Computer Room, using simulators and other teaching resources available in the net.

With respect to the skills the student have to get with this subject, in the theoretical classes in the classroom the the student will acquire the CG1, CG2, CG4, CG6, CG9, FB5, TI2, TI4 and TI5 skills; and in the practical classes in the lab the student will acquire the CG1, CG2, CG9, CG10, CG11, TR1, TR3, FB5, RI1, RI2, RI4, RI5, RI9, RI11 skills.

FIRST CHANCE (May-June)

- 65% of the grade will be obtained by doing a written test. The test will deal with theory topics, numerical exercises, and use cases as those tackled in the lecture room labs.

- The remaining 35% of the grade will be obtained through the evaluation of the work carried out during the practical sessions. The proposed practices/exercises are assessed in class and during the scheduled practice hours; there are no submissions outside that timeframe. Attendance at these sessions is mandatory to pass the course (article 1 of the "Regulamento de asistencia a clase nas ensinanzas oficiais de Grao e Máster da USC", approved by the Consello de Goberno on November 25, 2024). Only one unjustified absence will be allowed in a practical/exercise session, resulting in a grade of 0 for the work done during that session. The instructor will check attendance at these sessions by passing around a sign-in sheet or collecting the work completed in class. The detailed planning of the sessions will be provided on the first day of class and also through the online platform (Campus Virtual).

- In order to pass this subject, the overall mark should be at least 5 points out of 10. Moreover, the student will fail if less than 4 points out of 10 are obtained in any of the 2 sections mentioned above.

- If the student does not attend the written test, it will be considered as “no presentado”, so that the student does not waste an attempt to pass the subject.

- Those students that do not pass labs and before the May/June exams, are not allowed to pass the second chance exam.


SECOND CHANCE (July)

- 65% of the mark will be obtained by doing a written test. The test will deal with theory topics, numerical exercises, and use cases as those tackled in the lecture room and labs.

- Regarding the labs (35% of the mark), the mark obtained during the course will be considered. If the student did not pass this part of the subject, it is not possible to pass the July exam.

- In order to pass this subject, the overall mark should be at least 5 points out of 10. Moreover, the student will fail if less than 4 points out of 10 are obtained in any of the 2 sections mentioned above.

- If the student does not attend the written test, it will be considered as “no presentado”, so that the student does not waste an attempt to pass the subject.

Competences:

- With the final exam (65% of the final grade), the CG1, CG2, CG4, CG6, CG9, FB5, TI2, TI4, TI5 skills are evalauted by means of several questions and exercises.
- The practical part (35% of the final grade) the marks of this part will take into account if the student has acquired the CG1, CG2, CG9, CG10, CG11, TR1, TR3, FB5, RI1, RI2, RI4, RI5, RI9, RI11 skills

EXTRAORDINARY CALL ("Convocatoria Extraordinaria")

- 65% of the mark will be obtained by doing a written test. The test will deal with theory topics, numerical exercises, and use cases.

- 35% of the mark will be obtained by delivering the same exercises and works that have been delivered by the students in the labs of the subject during the same academic course.

- In order to pass this subject, the overall mark should be at least 5 points out of 10. Moreover, the student will fail if less than 4 points out of 10 are obtained in any of the 2 sections mentioned above.

- If the student does not attend the written test, it will be considered as “no presentado”, so that the student does not waste an attempt to pass the subject.


*** In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the 'Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico dos estudantes e de revisión de cualificacións da USC' as well as the specific regulations of the ETSE, shall apply ***

The total times of in-person work and homework are 50 hours and 100 hours respectively, divided into:

Lectures: 25 hours in-person classes, and 50 of autonomous work by the student.
Problems-based Learning: 5 hours in-person classes, and 25 hours of autonomous work by the student.
Labs: 20 hours with the lecturer, and 25 of autonomous work by the student, focussed on solving the labs and other assignments.

Attendance at the lecture sessions. Study the subject matter day by day using the provided materials and recommended books in order to complete the proposed exercises and problems. Maintain an active attitude when gathering and analyzing information from different sources. It is necessary to be familiar with the concepts from the courses: "Fundamentos de Computadores", "Arquitectura de Computadores" and "Redes".

Langauges: spanish and galician.